2004 Year in Review

Morr Exercise

So you’ve made the commitment to lose weight, eat better, or exercise more in the New Year. We all know it’s something we should be doing everyday of the year not just as a resolution.

But breaking old habits and finding time are difficult to do. What is out there for diet and exercise programs? Digging out the best program is time-consuming, something none of us has the time for. We have done a little digging to see what programs are out there. This will be a two-part series, one on exercise the other on diet. If we have missed some let us know.

There are only a few exercise options available in Morrison. Lap swimming is available at Morrison High School Pool from 5:30 – 7:30 am and 5:30 – 7:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In the mornings there is a group that work-out to an exercise tape.

Martina Maxfield teaches a class on Hatha Yoga at the conference room on the lower level of the Farm Bureau Building. Her 10-week course includes physical exercise to give the body more flexibility and mobility. Everything is provided and participants only need to bring comfortable clothing. Two courses are taught: Monday and Thursday 9:15 – 10:45 am and Monday evenings 5:30 – 7:00 pm and Thursday s 7:15 – 8:45 but Martina is flexible and classes may be made up in a different session. A favorite part of class is 15 – 20 minutes spent doing deep relaxation. This session has already started but it is not too late to join. The cost is $80 for this session

After February 9 Fusion Fitness for Women will be opening in the old Suz Video store on Main Street. The program takes only 30 minutes at a cost of $35.00 per month. You get a complete aerobic and strength training workout using hydraulic resistance machines.

Sterling has several exercise facilities. The new Sterling Rock Falls YMCA facility has a swimming pool with exercise classes and lap swimming in morning and evening. There is also a Wellness Center open 70 hours per week. The Y is open until 9:00 pm Monday – Thursday.

Sterling Park District has several facilities and programs available. Westwood has adult and youth sports, fitness classes, a fitness center, and a track. There are also racquetball and tennis courts. The Duis center has a pool with exercise classes and lap swimming along with Fitness Edge East, another fitness center. The Park District has different prices for residents vs. nonresidents. But if you just want to tryout their facility purchase punch cards. Punch cards exclude the yearly-unlimited membership of $260 per person or $540 for family for those living outside the District. Punch cards can be purchased for as little as $30 per card. Winter Brochure

The YWCA on 1st Avenue in Sterling has Jazzercise classes and a fitness room named the Shape Shop. A $20 yearly membership fee plus a monthly pass of $18 is required. Currently they have a special: three months for the price of two.

Clinton YWCA on 7th Avenue South is just over the U.S. 30 Bridge. They have a swimming pool with exercise classes, a fitness center, and fitness classes. Classes vary from Pilates and yoga to kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do. They are rated at beginning, beginning/intermediate, intermediate, and advanced. Adult dance classes are also available for a fun and relaxing environment. Most of the exercise classes are available in the evenings. Classes cost $30 - 34 for non-members depending on the class. An Adult Basic Membership cost $15 per year and reduces the cost of classes to $26 - 30 per session. The current session is from January 5 to February 15.

Their aquatic center has aerobic exercise classes in the pool that are easy on the joints. Evening classes start at 5:30. Six-week sessions, three days per week, cost $40.50 for non-members but the Basic membership brings the cost of the class to $34.50.

Fees for their Fitness Center is free for members, $25 per month for non-members.

Full membership to the Clinton YWCA is $285 for adults and $385 for families. Free babysitting is available for children 6 months to 12 years mornings from 8 –11 am and evenings Monday and Wednesday, 4-7 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday, 4-8 pm, Fridays, 4-6 pm.

The YMCA in Clinton on 5th Avenue South has adult fitness classes, racquetball and tennis courts, water Slimnastics, lap swimming, track, and a fitness center. There next class session begins March 1. The cost is $29.59 per adult or $39.09 per family each month. Day passes are available for $5.00 per day or $2.50 for the Cardio Center

If you are a woman, there are a couple more options available with Curves in Clinton and Sterling. Curves is a 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week exercise program. You get a complete aerobic and strength training workout using hydraulic resistance machines similar to Fusion Fitness in Morrison. Free for anyone who would like a one-week trial. Hours in Clinton are 8 am to 1 pm and 3:30 to 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday and it closes at 6:00 on Friday. Saturdays are 9-10 am. If you are a member you may use any other Curves. Currently the joining fee is $90 off the usual $149 fee and $29 per month with a 12-month membership.

Next in the series: Weight-Loss Options

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
January 20, 2004